Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

MATTHEW 5:35KJV
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Matthew 5:35 (KJV)

What does Matthew 5:35 mean?

Matthew 5:35 warns people not to swear oaths by the earth or by Jerusalem, explaining that the earth belongs to God as His footstool and Jerusalem is the city of the great King. The verse emphasizes that these things are not under human control or ownership, so they should not be used to guarantee promises.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a crowd during the Sermon on the Mount, teaching them about honesty and the seriousness of making oaths. By mentioning the earth and Jerusalem, Jesus points out that people often swore by things they considered important or sacred. He reminds them that these things ultimately belong to God, highlighting the need for truthfulness without relying on external guarantees.

The Greek behind Matthew 5:35

  • πόλις (polis, G4172) — "city": This word refers specifically to Jerusalem as a significant and central place, not just any city. Calling Jerusalem "the city of the great King" underlines its special status in Jewish thought.
  • βασιλεύς (basileus, G935) — "King": This word is used here to refer to God, showing that Jerusalem is not just any city, but one uniquely associated with God's rule.
  • ὑποπόδιον (hypopodion, G5286) — "footstool": This term describes the earth as something under God's authority, reinforcing the idea that swearing by the earth is meaningless since it is subject to God, not people.

Why Matthew 5:35 matters

  • Matthew 5:35 clarifies that swearing by things associated with God does not make an oath more trustworthy, since those things are not under human authority.
  • The verse connects to Jesus’ larger teaching about letting one’s word be truthful without needing to swear by anything at all, setting a higher standard for honesty.
  • By calling Jerusalem "the city of the great King," Jesus reminds listeners of God’s sovereignty, challenging common practices of oath-making in His time.

Where else these words appear

“footstool” Greek G5286 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 22:44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
  • Luke 20:43 Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
  • Hebrews 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

“Nor” Greek G3383 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
  • Luke 9:3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

“Jerusalem” Greek G2414 · used in 59 verses

  • Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
  • Luke 2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
  • Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

“footstool” Greek G4228 · used in 86 verses

  • Matthew 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
  • Luke 24:40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
  • Acts 16:24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.